Abstract [en]

The aim was to examine adolescents in the Swedish county of Värmland, their tobacco and oral health habits, and possible associations of these to a tobacco prevention program and their self-efficacy. The sample were students (15-16 years, n = 631) who had undergone a tobacco prevention program in grade 5 and 7. Smoking was more common among girls than among boys (13% vs. 8%), with inverse relationship for snus use (6% vs. 15%). Toothbrushing <2 times/day were more common among boys (21%) than among girls (12%). The girls had as a group, lower self-efficacy. High degree of self-efficacy entailed a greater probability for self-perceived impact of tobacco lessons (p = 0.004). In a multivariate model three significant risk factors for not experiencing influence from tobacco lessons were identified: snus use (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.42-5.41), low self-efficacy (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.42) and living without two adults (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.17-2.51). Age <15 years (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.93) yielded a lower risk for not experiencing influence. Stratified on gender statistical significance persisted regarding all above for girls and living without two adults for boys.

The knowledge generated in this study may serve as a base for planning of prevention and promotion strategies in both clinical practice and in schools.